San Jose Estate Law Blog
What information should you include in an advance directive?
While planning your estate in California can seem daunting at first, individually completing the documents that you feel are most critical to your future can help you to better manage your efforts to make the process more efficient and less overwhelming. If you have...
Common estate planning mistakes to avoid
Estate planning is one of the most essential things you should do before your sunset years. Not only may it help you you be able to distribute your estate fairly, but you may also ensure your property is well-managed in your absence. If not handled correctly, the...
Is a handwritten will legal?
A last will and testament can be composed in different forms. It may be created as a printed form. Some wills, if spoken orally, can be recognized by a California court as legal. There are also wills that are completely handwritten by the testor. These handwritten...
When should I update my estate plan?
Having an estate plan is crucial if you are a Californian resident with an estate to manage, but writing an estate plan is not enough. Your estate plan must reflect your current life circumstances. For that reason, there are several points throughout your life that...
What are good times to modify an estate plan?
When residents in California create an estate plan, it should not be left untouched indefinitely. Estate plans should constantly be evolving along with the individual to whom it belongs. In fact, there are many different points in life when modifying an estate plan...
How do you choose an executor?
Much of the work you are likely to encounter when setting up your estate is collecting information and making decisions. The planning may, of course, have many technical elements both unique to California, such as probate concerns, and national, such as tax issues....
What should I expect when contesting a will?
Being removed from a will is not uncommon. However, it can be a devastating experience when a loved one cuts you out of their will, despite the reason. Along with financial considerations, there is also a sense of betrayal and rejection, especially when a parent cuts...
What is a power of attorney?
Proper estate planning involves many different considerations. Along with wills and trusts, which stipulate how a person's assets should be handled after they're gone, implementing a power of attorney is also crucial. These legal documents appoint authority to another...
What medical decisions are included in a living will?
Living wills are legally binding documents that stipulate the kinds of medical procedures you'd like when faced with a life-threatening injury or illness. These documents are a crucial part of the estate planning process, and without one in place, your friends and...
Avoid probate with your estate plan
The probate process involves gathering and distributing the assets of an estate under court supervision. Because of its lengthy, costly reputation, many individuals take steps to avoid the probate process with careful estate planning. These strategies can help you...
